Chapter Five

Mido found himself alone in the barn, this time with Maria's mare standing quietly inside. She nibbled at the hay Mido tossed for her while he worked on filing her hooves. Mido let his mind wander as he worked, his thoughts drifting once more to the threat that lingered over the kingdom he called home. It felt like an eternity ago when he watched his father leave him and his mother and sister to help the kingdom in their war against Scarletta. He had no idea, then, that that would be the last time he saw his father, riding away on his favorite gelding with his friends towards Alryn to take up their duties to their king. That was when Scarletta made her first move, and the attacks grew more frequently, each witch stronger than the last, wiping out masses of soldiers, Mido's father amongst them.

Mido pinched his lips together as images of his devastated mother flashed through his head. He watched her fall to her knees all over again, her heart shattering as she learned of her husband's death. Mido looked back on that moment, knowing now that it was only the beginning of a series of events that would forever change his life.

Mido's eyebrows knit together as his mother's death quickly filled the dark corners of his mind. And then, there he was, holding Selene in his arms as she took her last, struggled breath.

The mare swung her leg forward, out of Mido's grasp, coming down hard on the ground. Mido straightened and scratched the mare's neck. "Easy girl," he cooed to her. "Almost done." He made his way to her back hoof, bending down once more and gently asking the mare to lift her leg.

"When will it be enough?"

Mido continued his work on Maria's fat mare, filing her hooves down until they were even. He recognized the voice that spoke behind him, and he wished that she would leave him alone.

"When will what be enough?" he asked with a huff. His strong arms moved back and forth with the file as they had done day in and day out for years.

"These women you take home every night."

Mido straightened and patted the mare on the rump.

"What do you want, Sera?" he asked, finally turning to her. Her golden hair fell around her slender shoulders as she stood in the sunset's warm light.

Sera hesitated, her dark eyes soft and sad. "I want an explanation."

Mido crossed his arms. "All right," he started He had been careful to avoid her, but it was only a matter of time before she would pry. However, Mido did not have the answer she wanted to hear. "I don't care to settle down with anyone."

"Why?" Her voice was a hoarse whisper.

Mido's brows pinched together as he grew irate with her. He dropped his arms. "Why? Because I don't. Get over it."

"You used me," she hissed, clenching her fists at her side.

"I use everyone," Mido reminded her casually. "This shouldn't have been a surprise to you."

Sera pointed a finger at him angrily as she spoke. "This is all just some stupid act," she said. "This isn't the Mido I grew up with. This isn't who you are. You just put up a wall and won't let anyone in."

Mido sighed, defeated. "You're right," he said, turning away. "Goodbye."

Sera looked taken aback. Hurt. Her eyes held their gaze on him for a moment. "Why are you doing this?" Her soft voice pleaded with him.

Mido scratched the mare's withers. "Why are you pushing it?"

"Because I know you, Mido. I loved you."

Mido returned to his work. "I'm sorry you wasted your time," he said simply.

"I'm sorry, too," Sera muttered.

Mido looked over his shoulder and through the empty doorway. He rolled his eyes as his mind shifted to his excuse of a relationship with her. Mido treated her no different than any of the other women he slept with, but she wanted to be more. Even now, years later, she couldn't let it go. But Mido was not the man she wanted him to be, nor would he ever be. He couldn't see himself living that kind of life. But he never thought of himself as a total ass, either. He never meant to hurt her. He wasn't unreasonable; realistic, in fact. He couldn't – didn't want to – give her what she wanted. He didn't feel bad for what he did; he tried to make it work, for her. In the end, however, he was not the changed man she expected him to be, and he didn't regret it. He would never be that man, and he was perfectly content with that.